Thursday Sports in Brief

MLB

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks set a major league record with their 23rd straight road loss, making dubious history in getting trounced by the San Francisco Giants 10-3 Thursday.

The dejected D-backs trudged off the field and quietly made their way back to Oracle Park's visiting clubhouse following the final out of their latest loss, breaking a tie with the 1963 Mets and '43 Philadelphia Athletics for road futility.

The Diamondbacks only consolation coming off this four-game sweep: They don't play again on the road until June 25 at San Diego, exactly two months to the day since their last road victory. Then again, Arizona isn't scheduled for a road game against a sub-.500 team until July 27 at Texas.

NEW YORK (AP) — All fully vaccinated players and staff can stop wearing masks in dugouts, bullpens and clubhouses under the latest change to Major League Baseball's coronavirus protocols.

In addition, fully vaccinated players and staff may eat in restaurants without restrictions and attend sporting events as spectators at venues with government approved safety protocols, the commissioner's office and players' association said in a memo sent Wednesday night.

NBA

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard is officially out Friday night for Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Utah Jazz, but coach Tyronn Lue did not have any update on if it will be longer.

Leonard sprained his right knee Monday night in a Game 4 win. He traveled with the Clippers to Salt Lake City, Lue said, then returned to Los Angeles for further testing. A sprain, by definition, is a ligament injury, but the Clippers have not said which of the four knee ligaments he injured.

Despite missing Leonard, LA took a 3-2 series lead on Wednesday night with a 119-111 victory.

DALLAS (AP) — Rick Carlisle stepped down as coach of the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday, the second major departure for that franchise in as many days.

Carlisle spent 13 seasons in Dallas, leading the Mavericks to the 2011 NBA title. His decision was announced one day after general manager Donnie Nelson and the team agreed to part ways, ending a 24-year run for Nelson as part of the organization.

Carlisle went 555-478 in Dallas.

NFL

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Bears have submitted a bid to buy a spacious suburban horse racing track site, signaling a potential willingness to move out of downtown Soldier Field for a new stadium.

Bears President and CEO and Ted Phillips announced Thursday the club wants to purchase the Arlington International Racecourse, an iconic horse track in the city of Arlington Heights. It's about 30 miles northwest of their current lakefront venue.

Soldier Field is the oldest NFL stadium in operation, having opened in 1924. The Bears have only played there regularly since 1971 when they moved out of Wrigley Field.

NHL

The Carolina Hurricanes have reached a three-year contract extension with coach Rod Brind'Amour after three straight playoff appearances.

The Hurricanes announced the agreement Thursday.

The 50-year-old Brind'Amour's contract ran through this season, though the captain of Carolina's 2006 Cup winner and owner Tom Dundon had made public comments in recent months indicating they expected to reach an agreement.

Brind'Amour took over in 2018. He is 120-66-20 in the regular season over three seasons and 17-17 in the playoffs.

TENNIS

Rafael Nadal and Naomi Osaka are sitting out Wimbledon this year.

That leaves the oldest Grand Slam tennis tournament without two of the sport's biggest stars as it returns after being canceled last year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Nadal also said in a series of posts on social media that he will miss the Tokyo Olympics.

Osaka said she will go to the Summer Games. She represents Japan in competition and is expected to be in the spotlight during the Olympics.

BOXING

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Oscar De La Hoya says he is returning to the boxing ring for a bout against former UFC champion Vitor Belfort.

The 48-year-old De La Hoya announced Thursday that he will end his nearly 13-year ring retirement Sept. 11 in Las Vegas for what is expected to be an exhibition fight. The Golden Boy's return is backed by Triller, the social networking service that has aggressively jumped into the fight game over the past year.

De La Hoya hasn't fought an actual fight since losing to Manny Pacquiao in December 2008.

CYCLING

PARIS (AP) — A women's version of the Tour de France will be held in 2022 with a start on Paris' iconic Champs-Elysees boulevard after the conclusion of the men's race, organizers announced Thursday.

The "Tour de France Femmes" aims to become a permanent fixture on the women's world tour cycling calendar after various failed attempts in the past. It is scheduled to start on July 24, 2022.

The route and length of the race were not immediately disclosed but a video accompanying the launch said riders will "tackle the most challenging route" and "defy the most iconic climbs."

SOCCER

COPENHAGEN (AP) — Christian Eriksen will be fitted with an implantable device to monitor his heart rhythm, the Danish soccer federation said Thursday.

The 29-year-old Eriksen is recovering in a Copenhagen hospital after suffering cardiac arrest during Denmark's game against Finland at the European Championship.

The Danish federation said doctors have determined that Eriksen needs to have an ICD — implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.

COURTS

A former strength coach for UConn's men's basketball team has sued the school, claiming his contract wasn't renewed after he refused demands from coach Dan Hurley that he violate NCAA guidelines and school COVID-19 protocols.

A hearing was held Thursday in Rockville Superior Court on a motion by the school to dismiss the lawsuit filed by former strength coach Sal Alosi seeking unspecified monetary damages.

UConn's attorneys argue the lawsuit, which was filed in December, is improper because Alosi has not exhausted the proper administrative channels to contest his ouster last summer.

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